Library has a web site: http://www.beaverpl.okpls.org

May 11, 2006

Read Ya’ll
Charles Dickens wrote in “A Tale of Two Cities,” “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.” I now exactly how he felt.
My last date as library director is Friday, May 12th, 2006.
I need to thank so many people who have supported both the library and me personally over the years. To the women at the County Clerk’s Office, I couldn’t have done this without you. To the members of the Beaver Rotary Club, thanks so much for letting me speak to you of my passion and for support of the library. To the present and past members of the Friends of the Library, your support is what has propped me up more times than you know. To everyone who has worked with me at the library, thank you for helping me grow into what God wants me to be. To Dennis and Denise, I am replaceable, and thank you for your support and love and generosity. I’m certain I’ve forgotten someone, so please forgive me and accept my thanks now.
I want to thank you, the citizens of Beaver County. You have supported this library through the years, and I pray you will continue to support the new director, whomever that may be, as you have supported me. He or she will need you.
I am looking forward to grandchildren, to more time to write, read and sew. I’ll be making a decision about a new job after June 1st. God bless you every one.
Don’t forget your library still needs you. Miss Denise will need volunteers for Summer Reading on Thursdays. Donations are always appreciated, and the library will continue to have special which need your support. New books continue to arrive even as I leave, so check it out!

March 30, 2006

LIBRARY HOSTS DUAL CELEBRATION WITH GUYMON POET
The Beaver County Pioneer Library will be celebrating both National Library Week and National Poetry Month, Tuesday, April 4th, from 11:30 to 1:00 p.m.
Manuel Roybal, Jr., nationally honored poet of Guymon, Oklahoma will be reading poetry and autographing books during “Lunch@theLibrary,” sponsored by the Friends of the Beaver County Pioneer Library. Roybal, three-time winner of the “Poet of the Year” award from the Famous Poets Society of America, appears courtesy of the Library. Roybal has also been awarded the 1992 Golden Poet Award, the 1993 Ruby Poet Award, the 1994 and 1996 Diamond Poet Awards, the 1998 Diamond Homer Trophy, and the 2000 Prometheus Muse of Fire Trophy and medallion.
In September, 2001 Roybal’s poem “The American Flag” was read on ABC’s Good Morning America as part of the program’s response to 9/11. Also in 2001, Roybal’s poem “Forget Me Not,” dedicated to the men and women in our nation’s armed services, was honored with a marble memorial on the grounds of the Vietnam War Memorial and Museum in Las Vegas, New Mexico. This year, the City of Guymon honored Roybal with the establishment of a marble memorial of “Forget Me Not” outside the Guymon Post Office.
Roybal has to date published six volumes of poetry which will be available for purchase on April 4th. Mr. Roybal graciously agreed to read his favorite selections during “Lunch@theLibrary” from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. next Tuesday.
The Friends of the Beaver County Pioneer Library recently re-organized, and will be serving lunch for a $5.00 donation. All proceeds will assist the Friends in various projects benefiting the Library. The menu will include a variety of finger foods and soup, with tea or coffee. Cappuccino is now for sale at the Library for 75¢ per cup, with all proceeds going to the Friends, and may be purchased that day for the extra charge.
The Library is currently undergoing a face-lift, so come and see all the changes made in recent weeks as you enjoy lunch and good poetry. Check it out!

February 9, 2006

Read Y’All
This year the librarians and Friends of Libraries across Oklahoma worked together to get our State Aid Grant formula changed by the Oklahoma Legislature. Many Beaver County residents aided our libraries in this effort. With the cooperation of the Oklahoma Department of Libraries, we now receive State Aid Grant funding at the same level as counties which are part of a library system.
For the Beaver County Pioneer Library, that meant an increase in our State Aid Grant from $2,776 in 2005 to $18,396 in 2006. This increase stems from the new formula for State Aid Grants, which adds to our population funding a dollar amount for square mileage of the area we serve. Because we serve the entire Beaver County area, the funding for the 1,818 square miles in our county all went to our library.
In order to receive State Aid Grant funding, the library must meet or exceed certain levels of service to our county. Each year standard performance measures must be satisfied. Each library must maintain or increase local funding. Librarians must attend a certain number of continuing education classes in order to maintain professional service. Shelves must be weeded to remove old, out-dated or worn materials. A certain level of availability of current and needed materials must be maintained. A sample of the materials available in our library is surveyed to determine the average age of the books and other materials on our shelves. The library must have and periodically review policies concerning materials selection, cataloging, internet, underage children in the library, etc.
In the last eleven years, the average age of a book on our library’s shelves moved from 47 years old to 23 years old. The collection of books and materials in this library had never been weeded until 11 years ago, and it has been weeded, or de-selected if you prefer, four times since.
Our librarians attend every continuing education event we possibly can. Some of those are local, some state, and some national. Our library must be open a certain number of days each year. In order to meet these standards, we have local professional development days which count toward our continuing education credits. The library director is certified with the Oklahoma Department of Libraries at the highest level possible.
Eleven years ago there were no written policies governing the library. Now we have written policies, and those policies are posted on our library’s website as well as available for you at any time in our library.
Twenty years ago the only business and office equipment in the library was a telephone. Now we have five internet computers, two circulation and cataloging computers, a typewriter, a small laminating machine, a multi-function machine for printing/fax/copies, and a microfilm reader. Some of these need to be replaced, such as the microfilm reader and the multi-function machine.
Twenty years ago the library had never received a grant of any kind. Grants in Oklahoma are dependent upon meeting the qualifications for the State Aid Grant. Almost all of the office equipment listed above was purchased with grant money. Since we began receiving the State Aid Grant, we have received at least one additional grant each year, and some years as many as three or four grants.
State Aid Grant funding must be spent (encumbered) by June 30th each year. In recent years this library spent part of its State Aid Grant funds on technology, part on travel/continuing education, and part on books and materials. State Aid funds cannot be spent on any permanent fixtures. It can be spent on almost anything else the library Board and director determine the library needs.
This year we have added furnishings and office equipment to the list. We donated our old furniture to churches in the area, and to the county shop for their break room. We still have some desk chairs to be replaced.
To showcase the improvements to our Library made possible by our State Aid Grant this year, we plan to have Open House on Tuesday, April 4th, with Lunch at the Library and a poetry reading and book signing by Manuel Roybal of Guymon. April 3rd -8th is National Library Week. April is also National Poetry Month.
Among the new materials ordered recently for the Library are titles by several popular authors. Danielle Steel, Nora Roberts, Kristin Hannah, Iris Johansen, James Patterson, Elmer Kelton, Anne Rice, Belva Plain, Judith McNaught, Barbara Taylor Bradford, David Baldacci, Scott Turow, Deborah Bedford, Sandra Brown, Diana Palmer, and Terry Good kind all have books recently published or to be published in the near future. Several new non-fiction titles have also been ordered, including “700 Sundays’ by Billy Crystal and “Teacher Man” by Frank McCourt. Interested? Check it out!